We all know that transition is a process that takes time, patience, and a persistent series of resource-linked action steps.
We can face an impending job/ career/ lifestyle change at any stage in life.
Yet for many people, among the greatest challenge of confronting this change is creating the time and headspace to think, plan and muster the strength to see the change through.
“Self-creation is a lifelong journey. Only by our actions do we learn who we want to become, how best to travel, and what else will need to change to ease the way.” Herminia Ibarra, leading global expert on Career Transition.
Research by well-known career experts suggest that career transition seldom happens as a planned and organised chronology of events.
Rather, the transition into a successful career shift usually evolves with a sequence of considered and concerted action across different possible frameworks.
For all that is painful about losing a job, it forces change upon us. If you have suffered a job loss in this time of unprecedented challenge, be patient, this may be a unique opportunity to build a path towards a job more satisfying than the one you lost.
Here are a few simple strategies on the career transition process and what makes transition uniquely challenging and beneficial at the same time.
1. Get to Know
An understated yet crucial first aspect of the change process is getting to know what you are aiming at.
While you may be very sure you don’t want to continue what you are doing…reflect on how much time, effort and hours you have invested in knowing the other side.
For example, after years of doing Corporate roles, Huma decided to start an entrepreneurial business in gifting solutions. As she began operationalising her new venture, she needed to think through and wear multiple hats…finance, marketing, creative product development.. such that she could procure new business and execute the projects too.
The need to multitask different functional areas, split time between creative and administrative tasks, envision and plan for growth and finances, all were new aspects of Huma’s role as an entrepreneur, not tried and tested earlier..
Whereas a lot of people will jump into the change as soon as the need hits them, it makes sense to cultivate familiarity with the skills and time commitment required, in Huma’s case as a eCommerce entrepreneur with minimal support of any cross-functional teams.
2. Cultivate a broad network
There is always a need to know just the right person who can provide a link to the new organisation/ role that you are targeting, both within and outside the organisation. The more distinct the new role is from your previous, the more you need an experienced mentor to share insight and shed light on it.
This extended network could come from hobby circles, neighbours, school parents or friends from Facebook . As you cultivate these connections, you create many more opportunities and the strength of weak ties connects you to a wider berth of leads, referrals and entries to decision making circles.
3. Leverage & Employ your Strengths
Take some quick dip surveys to assess key strengths that define you, then look at how you can employ your strengths to harness better results. For example, if two of your key strengths are perseverance and zest, then utilise such that you move towards the new opportunities with enthusiasm and focus and increase your chances of success.
4. Cultivate Projects of Interest
Side projects in an area of interest and choice are a great way to get exposure to the career track that you are interested in.
For example, if a career in design fascinates you, think of ways in which you can initiate a small project with an independent team that gives you enough challenge to explore.
5. Work on the Skills Gap
The ability to honestly analyse where your skills are and how they need to develop to suit the next step.
Continuing our above example, if you are keen on design, would it involve an industry/ functional switch?
Which industry are you targeting?
Which functional skills/ technical/ software/ system skills are you missing?
What knowledge do you need to gain?
Assess concrete areas of missing competencies and identify those that can be acquired by way of online learning, weekend courses, volunteer work, mentors, etc.
6. Understand the scale and scope of change you need to plan for
Should you start afresh on a significant different career path, you will love the challenge and freedom from routine life. It also means that you may have a longer gestation period of training, competence, mastery and earning..
Moving forward and experimenting with a change built on a base of previously acquired key skills is a great way to accelerate your transition speed.
7. Practice what you need to say
Develop a clear and concise way to convey your ambitious plans and explain how your previous skills connect and add value to your next move. Make the connection between what you have done and what you intend to do, known to friends, family, the professional network.
8. Be Positive
Career transition takes time, consistent effort and continual focus. As you juggle priorities and timelines, keep a consistent focus on the ‘new’, make time everyday to build and add to the base and foundation you are setting for your future role.
As a Coach, we find immense value in consistency, steady practice and periodic self-evaluation. Every new path whether in life or in career takes focus and belief in the end result.
So harness all your character strengths of positivity, grit and determination, gradually fill your days with targeted goals, sheer hard work and perseverance and you will accomplish the career transition you aim in your life and springboard to a successful next move.
#careertransition #careergrowth #motivationatwork #workprogress #wellnessatwork
